Sandra‘s Closet

Early this year at Maison et Objet in Paris, HERMÈS launched a new tableware designed by artist and ornamentalist Nathalie Rolland-Huckel that I have fallen in love with immediately and that will hopefully make its way into my new home soon…

A true ode to the beauty of flora and tapping into the tropical jungle trend, the collection is named Passifolia – a portmanteau of Passiflora incarnata (the scientific name of the passionflower). Taking plant-based dining to a whole new level, it is the fruit of an artisanal adventure and an exploration of innovative know-how.

The service, which consist of around 30 pieces, offers an immersion in a universe that is both dreamlike and incredibly real, with floral and other more foliage-based compositions. Plates, platters and cups spread out across the table and form landscapes that invite contemplation.

A profusion of plant life to the dining table and a great way to add more greens to your table – so beautiful…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès / Audrey Corregan

«I was looking for something poetic, like a memory – a natural filter that makes everything look dreamier.» Lucia Pica

Today’s post about CHANEL‘s new S/S 2020 make-up collection, called DESERT DREAM, will make you literally dream, something we need in today’s difficult times.

If the eye is a camera with its shutter open – always recording, turning experience into image – it is Lucia Pica’s unerring instinct to train her lens on visions less familiar. Seeking inspiration for her S/S 2020 collection, the CHANEL Global Creative Makeup and Color Designer took a photographic trip to the center of the ancient desert, an expedition that uncovered a completely new perspective on color.

Initially drawn to the desert for its famous orange dunes, sacred cave paintings and lunar plains, Lucia Pica was soon captivated by the uncanny silence of the vast nothingness she found there, its powerful stillness moving her to reappraise the landscape through fresh eyes. Shifting her gaze toward the quieter hues of the quartzes, basalts and shales scattered across the desert floor, and forests bleached by the relentless sun, Lucia Pica unearthed a muted palette that is surprising new territory for her. DESERT DREAM is characterized by peachy rose tones, cool browns and the romantic undercurrents of mauve, whose shimmering, at times metallic textures echo the desert’s hidden treasures.

«It was beautiful in the desert but quite unexpected,» Lucia Pica says. «In the desert, there is almost a universe of one single, dominant color – mauve – which really came to life with the particular photographic process we used.»

Like distant memories, the dreamy Polaroid pictures at the heart of DESERT DREAM lend their sensual soft focus and painterly abstractions to a makeup collection that is perhaps Lucia Pica’s most poetic take on femininity yet. Using the prints’ soft colors to bring subtle emotion to the face – mysterious, mauve intensity to the eyes, planes of warm light on the high cheeks and red-hot desert heat on the lips – Lucia Pica evokes a womanly state of inner calm, self-possession and utter contentment.

DESERT DREAM
SPRING SUMMER 2020 COLLECTION
Le Teint
Eclat du Désert CHF 70.-
Exclusive Creation (Edition Limitée)
Baume Essentiel CHF 55.-
Golden Light (Edition Limitée)

Les Lèvres
Rouge Allure CHF 48.-
191 Rouge Brûlant
Rouge Allure Velvet Extrême CHF 48.-
132 Endless

Les Ongles
Le Vernis CHF 33.-
735 Daydream
739 Mirage

Le Regard
Les 4 Ombres CHF 77.-
352 Elemental
354 Warm Memories
Ombre Première Laque CHF 42.-
22 Rayon
24 Rising Sun (Edition Limitée)
26 Quartz Rose
28 Desert Wind
32 Vastness
Stylo Ombre et Contour CHF 42.-
34 Contour Brun (Edition Limitée)
36 Contour Mauve (Edition Limitée)

YOU CAN SHOP THIS BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION ONLINE AT MARIONNAUD.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © CHANEL

Everything around you might seem very dark at the moment … I feel you! But one thing is for sure… storms don’t last forever and everything black can be very beautiful, too!

My look: Wool and cashmere-blend cape, and embellished leather-trimmed straw fedora, both by Valentino, black dress with zipper, and Multi Pochette Accessories in monogram canvas, both by Louis Vuitton, Cardinale stretch-suede knee boots by Dolce & Gabbana, textured-leather belt by Fendi, and hoop earrings by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Location: Park Hyatt Zurich
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Yesterday I really felt gloomy about the future, for the first time while being in quarantine. I was shocked in regards to my work when I received the news that after Net-à-Porter had closed its distribution centre in the US last week, the company is shutting down e-commerce operations for Net-à-Porter and Mr Porter in the UK/Europe/Middle East as well. The only space to shop left is the Asian site. It’s not clear when the websites will be back up and running. At the moment, they are not able to accept customer returns, and have extended the window for product returns to a timeframe of 60 days instead of 30.

For me, as I am working with e-commerce, this decision has hit me pretty hard. Somehow, preparing my posts, doing some online shopping or at least looking at the sites, gave me a sense of normality. Now, not being able to generate revenue as much as I used to, leaves me uncertain of what will be next.

The upcoming men’s and haute couture shows in Paris, that would have taken place in July 2020, have been cancelled and Milan’s next men’s fashion week has been postponed and will be merged with the city’s women ready-to-wear week in September 2020.

The retailers that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 crash.

The question is should the fashion industry skip a season? A question, BoF is asking in today’s article. Many companies have not the possibility to work at the moment on their collections. Some might not be able to afford skipping a season but let’s be frank, what will happen with all the merchandise that is left now, that cannot be sold due to closed shops and shut down e-commerce websites. When stores eventually re-open, there will be so much unsold product in the market that analysts are predicting a wave of discounting similar to that seen in the aftermath of the global financial crisis in 2008.

In terms of my blogging industry, I can see a tremendous shift happening. Some large fashion and beauty retailers have paused affiliate link programmes as the coronavirus pandemic depresses sales, throwing a fundamental element of the social media economy into turmoil. Right now, it is happening in the mass market, with houses like Dillard, Ulta and Macys, but I am convinced others will follow. Is this the end of the influencer era as affiliation programs are driving a lot of our income?

With so many questions arising, I am sure that we will have difficult times ahead, with also lots of new chances popping up. In the meantime, I am wishing you lots of good energy while enjoying yourself at home. I will try to entertain you as much as I can. Isn’t it quite ironic that we got the corona virus from China and now it is only the Asian warehouse that is open…

IF YOU LIKE TO SHOP ON NET-A-PORTER’S ASIAN SITE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Net-à-Porter and BoF
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Twenty years ago, a green jungle print gown by Versace broke the internet, and Google Images was born. It was February 2000 when Jennifer Lopez wore the iconic dress, designed by Donatella Versace, to the 42nd Grammy Awards ceremony.

The sheer fabric was printed with a tropical leaf and bamboo pattern, and cut with a very low neckline that extended well past Lopez’s navel, while the waist of the dress was studded with citrines. Seemingly overnight it became a fashion legend, as well as the most popular search query Google had seen at the time. It was often described as a turning point in designer Donatella Versace’s career after the death of her brother, Gianni Versace.

But back in 2000, search results were still just a list of blue links. When the search team realized they weren’t able to directly surface the results that people wanted – a picture of the American recording artist and actress in the dress – they were inspired to create Google Images.

Left: Crystal-embellished printed silk-chiffon gown by Versace (available now)
Right: J. Lo wearing the original design in 2000 to the Grammys

Before it became famous on the red carpet of the Grammy Awards, the dress was presented on the catwalk by model Amber Valletta, and was also featured in Versace’s main advertising campaign that year; Steven Meisel also photographed it on Valletta.

Left: Cutout embellished printed silk-chiffon gown by Versace (available now)
Right: J. Lo with Donatella Versace on the S/S 2020 runway last fall

Two decades later, Donatella Versace showed off a new, revamped green gown in the print for her S/S 2020 collection, and a magic moment in fashion history took place when J. Lo modeled it as the final look of the runway presentation last fall. And is it only me? But I think that J. Lo looks even better than 20 years ago! Just wow!!!

Great news is that you can make these pieces of fashion history your own as both versions are available this season. TO SHOP BOTH VERSACE GOWNS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Can you guess which one I went for? I hope this quarantine will be over soon and I get to wear it to a special occasion…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Versace, Net-à-Porter and Google
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

When it’s cold outside, your first thought isn’t about looking cool; it’s usually just about how to keep from freezing. However, style and practicability can go together very well. For its second season, the CHANEL Coco Neige F/W 2019 collection has continued to redefine an outdoor winter wardrobe with new techniques, volumes, textures and patterns. The snow shoes for example come with a tool to activate spikes on the bottom to grip the icy roads. Here you see me wearing a full look at Bagatelle Courchevel during «Lion’s Run» in the beginning of February 2020. Who would have thought that the world would be so different only a few weeks later…?!

My look: White and black printed canvas blouson, matching snow pants, pink and white striped cashmere and wool sweater, matching scarf, waist bag, and snow boots with spikes on the bottom, all by CHANEL (Coco Neige Collection F/W 2019), and leopard print lens sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Diane Pinel @diane.pinel and © Sandra Bauknecht #CHANELCocoNeige
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Raffia bags are the annual stalwarts of summer, but now they have traded up: sleek incarnations now carry the day – not only on the beach but in the boardroom, too.

Below are my favorites, just click on the highlighted description to get yours delivered to your doorstep. A welcome distraction during quarantine times.

LoL, Sandra

GG Marmont large leather-trimmed raffia tote by Gucci

Nolita small leather-trimmed raffia shoulder bag by Saint Laurent

The Rockstud leather-trimmed raffia clutch by Valentino

 Panier small textured leather-trimmed straw tote by Prada

Escape leather-trimmed straw tote by Valentino

Espadrille large fringed raffia tote by Altuzarra

Medium leather-trimmed woven raffia tote by Loewe

The Studio Basket woven raffia tote by Salvatore Ferragamo

Lecky leather-trimmed raffia shoulder bag by Isabel Marant

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands / Net-à-Porter
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Let’s stay home – staying home is an act of care for our neighbours, friends, family and all the public health workers who work so tirelessly to keep us safe. However, I am of the opinion that dreams and inspiration must keep a place in our daily life, especially in such difficult times. Over the past few days, I have received some disturbing and aggressive messages from people who think I should abstain from posting «normally». Respecting other opinions is a virtue I hold dear to my heart. I would appreciate the right tone, «c’est le ton qui fait la musique».

Personally, I have a different view on it. Firstly, posting is my passion and makes me truly happy. Over the last ten years it has become my profession and pursuing it during quarantine gives me comfort, a sense of normality. My mission is to share a daily dose of fashion and lifestyle with my readers and I shall continue as long as I can. Online shopping is becoming a welcome alternative to strolling down Avenue Montaigne and frankly is a way to support our economy. If you like my outfit, just click on the highlighted descriptions to be transferred directly for more information.

Being at home gives me finally the time to write about many things I never had time for. Furthermore, I have a lot of pre-shot footage like today’s post that I am so happy to be able to post now. Why spread bad vibes if we have the chance to send each other good energy… and personally speaking, I still like to dress up as it makes me feel good. And that is the most important!

My look: Striped cotton-jersey cardigan, and matching striped cotton-jersey track pants, cotton-poplin shirt, all by Thom Browne, The Pouch small gathered leather clutch by Bottega Veneta, embroidered Ace sneakers by Gucci, and stole 140 «Cosmographia Universalis» in blue/rose/vivid yellow by Hermès (design by Jan Bajtlik).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Location: Park Hyatt Zurich
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

With so many of us at home right now, there’s no better time to make your space beautiful. Here is your welcome dose of whimsy as I would like to show you an amazing collaboration between de Gournay and British fashion house Erdem. The exclusive collection features limited edition Chinoise wallpapers alongside whimsical floral tiered dresses and other dreamy pieces, so that you can match your look to your interior design. This is what I call elevating your level of style!

Erdem Moralioglu – a designer feted for a signature expression of halcyon romance – whose creation of a new hand painted design for wallpaper and as a fabric for a line of his elegant silhouettes deftly pairs the realms of fashion and interiors.

A riotous depiction of nature in full bloom, the new design is a springtime vision of flora and birds: presenting the medium in a kaleidoscopic rendition of saturated tones.

Hydrangea, hollyhock, irises, chrysanthemum and morning glory jostle amidst a verdant lattice of branches, with sparrows, warblers, pheasant and egrets interspersed throughout. Honouring specific instruction from Erdem that the birds appear especially full of life, they appear darting through foliage, taking flight and energetically craning their necks.

With de Gournay’s provision of hand painted design work, the Erdem team plotted elements into a motif for clothing: altered in scale as a florid pattern garlanded across grounds of navy, white and black. The resulting collection for S/S 2020 combines the exquisite character of both brands, with de Gournay’s first executions of wallpaper in ‘Adam Grey’, ‘Kelly Gren’, and a ‘Golden Yellow’ painted to join their iconic Chinoiserie collection and seen for the first time within exclusive photography of the project. Each panel (91.5cm x 150cm-350cm) takes around 120 hours to produce and is handpainted in watercolour at De Gournay’s studio in Wuxi, outside Shanghai.

Exclusive to Net-à-Porter: Oleanna floral-print cotton-poplin midi dress

Erdem’s three separate capsules of stunning dresses and separates come with a white background for Net-à-Porter, navy for Bergdorf Goodman and black for Erdem’s own South Audley Street store and e-site. All three are available now.

I am in love with the Giudita tie-neck belted floral-print silk-voile dress.

A mutual dedication to beauty informs the endeavour, the results of which compliment the illustrious merits shared by Erdem and de Gournay both.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Erdem / de Gournay
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

While many of us are isolated right now due to the corona virus quarantine, our ability to dream, to be inspired, and to visit faraway places in thought, remains unaffected. Therefore I would like to invite you to enjoy today’s travel insider.

NICOLAS DEGENNES, Artistic Director for Makeup and Colors at GIVENCHY, constantly aims to reveal and accentuate feminine beauty with his most innovative creations. For his job, he was always on the go and constantly travelling around the world. Among all destinations, he adores TOKYO and shares with us his favorite spots of the Japanese metropole.

Your favourite city?
TOKYO for the dynamism, the diversity, the silence and the day and night life.

Your favourite hotel?
The GRAND HYATT ROPPONGI. Each time I go to Japan, I usually stay at this hotel. This is where I have my habits, where I’m feeling well.
6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 106-0032
Phone: +81-3-4333-1234

Your favourite restaurant?
NARUKIYO in Tokyo, first because it is owned by a friend and secondly, because I love to have dinner at the bar where the atmosphere is so friendly!
2 Chome-7-14 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0002
Phone: +81 3-5485-2223

Your favourite local dish?
In Japan, I love to eat SEA URCHINS. The Japanese know perfectly well how to cook them.

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
I love walking in YANAKA DISTRICT. Old town Tokyo at its best. It’s a great place for a stroll and home to artisans, temples, and winding lanes. I love doing some shopping in local art and craft stores.

Your favourite park?
SHINJUKU GYOEN is undoubtedly one of my favourite parks in Tokyo, especially during the cherry blossom period. I love its very rich and diversified nature with its many lakes. It is very peaceful!
11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014
Phone: +81 3-3350-0151

Your favourite shop?
GIVENCHY of course! There are five Givenchy flagship stores in Tokyo.
One Omotesando 3-5-29 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-Ku, 107-0061, Tokyo
Phone: +81 3 3404 0360

Your must-have accessory?
BAGS and SHOES. I am totally crazy about bags and shoes.
Bags give an attitude and shoes some height. It is really pleasant to have new shoes and a beautiful bag when we go out – whether it is for men and women. (Photo: Givenchy S/S 2020)

The best souvenir to bring home?
TEA and WINE! All kinds of Japanese tea and high quality bottles of sake!

The best soundtrack for this destination?
THE MAGIC FLUTE by MOZART which reminds me personally speaking of my childhood and my dad. In general, classical music has always inspired me to travel.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
Everything by COLETTE. I just love the way she talks about humanity. And I like humanity and her perfect prose.

Thank you, Nicolas, for sharing your insider scoop on Tokyo with us.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the different locations
Givenchy Beauty is now available at Sephora Switzerland
#sephoraswitzerland #sephoralovesgivenchy #givenchybeauty @sephoraswitzerland
Photo of Nicolas Degennes: © PR, Robert Jaso for PARFUMS GIVENCHY